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Animal Ordinances in Lakewood, OH (2026)

7 verified animal ordinances for Lakewood, Ohio, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Chickens & Livestock

Lakewood allows up to 4 hens with a permit. No roosters. Coops must be in the rear yard and screened from neighboring properties. The city's dense urban lots require strict setback compliance.

Lakewood Chickens & Livestock Rules

Some Restrictions

Dog Leash Laws

Lakewood requires all dogs to be leashed when off owner property under LCO 505.08 and ORC 955.22. Leash must be held by a competent person. Lakewood Park dog park is the only off-leash area.

Animals: Dog Leash Laws

Heavy Restrictions

Ohio Rev. Code § 955.22 (Vicious, dangerous, and nuisance dog acts)

No owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog that is not an animal shelter for dogs shall negligently, and no animal shelter for dogs that keeps or harbors a dog shall recklessly, fail to prevent the dog from committing a vicious dog act. Whoever violates this division is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree on a first offense and a misdemeanor of the second degree on each subsequent offense. ...

Breed Restrictions

Lakewood does not impose breed-specific bans following the 2012 ORC 955.11 amendment. However, dogs designated dangerous or vicious by Cleveland Municipal Court must be registered, insured, and confined per LCO 505.14.

Animals: Breed Restrictions

Some Restrictions

Ohio Revised Code Section 955.11 - Transfer of ownership; dangerous and vicious dog disclosure

(A) Upon the transfer of ownership of any dog, the seller of the dog shall give the buyer a transfer of ownership certificate that shall be signed by the seller. The certificate shall contain the registration number of the dog, the name of the seller, and a brief description of the dog. Blank forms of the certificate may be obtained from the county auditor. A transfer of ownership shall be reco...

Beekeeping

Beekeeping in Lakewood is permitted in residential zones with registration through the Ohio Department of Agriculture under ORC 909. Hives must be setback from property lines and not create a nuisance under LCO Chapter 505.

Animals: Beekeeping

Some Restrictions

Exotic Pets

Dangerous wild animals (big cats, bears, primates, venomous snakes, large constrictors) are banned in Lakewood under ORC 935. Common exotic pets (ferrets, reptiles under thresholds, parrots) are allowed under LCO 505.

Animals: Exotic Pets

Heavy Restrictions

Ohio Revised Code Section 935.02 - Possession of dangerous wild animal prohibited

(A) No person shall possess a dangerous wild animal on or after January 1, 2014. (B)(1) Except as provided in divisions (G)(1) and (2) of section 935.06 of the Revised Code, no person shall acquire, buy, sell, trade, or transfer possession or ownership of a dangerous wild animal on or after the effective date of this section. (2) Notwithstanding division (B)(1) of this section, a person that op...

Wildlife Feeding

Feeding wildlife (deer, raccoons, feral cats, waterfowl) is discouraged in Lakewood and can trigger nuisance citations under LCO 505 and 551. Bird feeders are allowed but must not create rodent conditions under the Property Maintenance Code.

Animals: Wildlife Feeding

Some Restrictions

Pet Limits

Lakewood limits households to 3 dogs and 3 cats over 4 months of age under LCO 505.19. Kennels require a kennel license and are only allowed in limited zones. Additional animals require a variance.

Animals: Pet Limits

Some Restrictions

Looking for Cuyahoga County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lakewood city rules.

Animal Ordinances in Cuyahoga County